Columbus, OH – Dr. Paul Nolan, a well-known veterinarian in the Standardbred racing world, has died in Florida after a brief illness. He was 81.
A native of upstate New York, Dr. Nolan grew up on a dairy farm and planned a career working with bovines after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in veterinary medicine. A friend at Cornell put him in touch with the growing Dr. John R. Steele and Associates practice at Vernon Downs, changing the trajectory of Dr. Nolan’s career to harness racing. After Dr. Steele transitioned to show horses, Dr. Nolan established his own practice.
During his years with Steele and Associates, and on his own, Dr. Nolan evaluated and treated horses in the sport’s largest and most prominent stables, and smaller stables as well. Among the larger stables were those of W.R. Haughton, Stanley Dancer, Chuck Sylvester, Howard Beissinger, Gene Riegle, Doug Ackerman, Jimmy Takter, Ake Svanstedt, and many others.
Dr. Nolan’s most famous patients included the great Peace Corps, Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, and world champion Sebastian K.
Dr. Nolan retired in 2018 and for a period of time lived in Germany with his wife, Ute, a native of Germany. They returned to the U.S. so Dr. Nolan could be treated for health issues.
Last summer, the Nolan’s lived near Lexington, Ky. For the first time ever, Dr. Nolan attended the fall Grand Circuit meet at the Red Mile as a fan, instead of working during the meet.
Dr. Nolan is survived by his wife, Ute.
Memorial donations may be made to the Stable of Memories (Round Barn at Red Mile), 1520 Lexington Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324, or the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd., Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.